With fall in full swing, many of you might have noticed that your eyes have gotten drier than usual. The condition is fairly normal this time of year, but contact lens users are especially prone to discomfort and irritation.
“As the air gets dry, it’s natural for our eyes to get drier as well,” says Dr. Nidhi Rana of University Children's Eye Center, “and the heat indoors does not help with that situation.”
Symptoms associated with dryness include gritty sensations, burning in the eyes, and additional tearing when confronted with strong winds.
To counteract dryness, Dr. Rana recommends using over-the-counter artificial tears.
“Using them once or twice a day is totally appropriate,” she continues. “Contact lens wearers should also use artificial tears, but make sure the bottles say ‘for soft contact lens wearers’ or ‘for soft contact lenses’.”
Additional tactics include the use of an indoor humidifier, and, if necessary, seeking treatment from a trained professional.
Lastly, Dr. Rana takes care to note what symptoms are not typical of seasonal dry eyes.
“If you notice redness of the eyes, or any kind of discharge, you might have a concurrent infection that should be evaluated,” she says, “so please reach out to us to triage that.”
For more information on dry eyes and the diagnosis and treatment thereof, we encourage you to visit our website.
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